KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's struggle to take something meaningful away from soccer's biggest stage continues, after the national women's team ended their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 loss to hosts China yesterday.
The Football Ferns lost their three matches and failed to pick up a point. They also failed to score a goal.
The results mirrored earlier efforts this year by the men's under-17 and under-20 teams who also failed to pick up a point. The only goal scored by a national side was Jack Pelter's effort in the 2-1 loss to Mexico in their final group match at July's under-20 World Cup in Canada.
Such efforts do not make pretty reading but it might not be all doom and gloom.
Against China, in a match delayed 24 hours, New Zealand again went out determined to defend at all costs and looked to snatch something on the break.
Coach John Herdman opted for a four-strong defence with five players in midfield leaving veteran Wendi Henderson as the sole striker.
For the second time at the tournament the ploy was effective in holding out the opposition for almost an hour. Only once did they concede a first half goal - against Brazil en route to a 5-0 loss.
It was not pretty but Herdman will justify such tactics by saying it was effective in the search for credibility.
After frustrating the hosts for long periods, New Zealand fell behind when Jie Li scored from set play. Down by a goal, New Zealand rallied to create decent half chances for Abby Erceg and substitute Zoe Thompson but it was China who scored the only other goal of the match when Caixia Xie netted a well-taken effort in the 79th minute.
Again, much of the credit was with the defence with Marlies Oostdam continuing her good form. Erceg, too, has looked accomplished under pressure and Maia Jackman's added experience proved vital at times yesterday.
In goal, Jenny Bindon again shone but frustrated the referee and her opponents with her time-wasting tactics as the Chinese rode a healthy advantage in possession, shots on goal and corners.
Herdman faces some soul-searching as he now prepares for a shot at a place in next year's 12-team Olympic tournament in Beijing.
New Zealand Football can point to results posted by other nations to back their case for continued direct representation for Oceania teams.
New Zealand, ranked 23rd, were joined on early flights yesterday by world No 3 Sweden, the fifth-ranked Koreans, Canada (9) and Japan (10). Finishing behind New Zealand on the final analysis were Argentina and Ghana.
